5 reasons to kick your cramming habit

Scheduling your study in advance can be a daunting task. Instead, it might seem easier to cram all your study into one intense session. However, there are a few reasons why you should give this strategy the flick.

1. You'll get more bang for your buck

Spreading out your study time is more effective than doing it all in one go. Luckily, this doesn’t mean you have to spend more time studying, you just need to re-order your study time across a number of days or weeks. Phew!

2. It'll help you to chill

Putting off studying until the last minute can stress you out. Knowing you need to learn a lot of information in order to perform on your test can be overwhelming. And when you’re overwhelmed, you tend to feel stressed and anxious. The more prepared you are, the less you'll have to stress.

3. Mind blanks will be long forgotten

Exams can freak you out. When you’re stressed it’s harder to remember things. Learning by taking practise tests (instead of cramming) helps protect your memory from the negative effects of stress. This means you’re more likely to remember what you’ve learned, and get a better mark on that exam. Winning!

4. More sleep = amazing

We call them all-nighters for a reason, and that’s because you’ll end up staying up from dusk ‘till dawn. While it may seem like a good idea to skimp out on sleep for a few extra hours of study, research shows this won’t do you any favours. Your concentration in the exam room will be patchy, meaning you’re less likely to ace that test.

5. You can say baiiii to feeling guilty

Planning out your study session means you can schedule in specific times for relaxation and fun activities. So, instead of feeling guilty for watching your fav show or catching up with mates, you'll know it's all part of the master plan. In fact, these rewards can help you to stay motivated throughout your study sesh.

For better results...

The best way to study is to develop a regular study schedule and stick to it. If you’re going to hit the books the night before an exam, aim to revise, rather than cram.

What if it's too late?

Try not to be too hard on yourself if you've left studying until the last minute. Take a deep breath, say "thank u, next" and learn from the experience.